title: Association of a lymphotoxin-alpha gene polymorphism and atopic asthma in Taiwanese children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The lymphotoxin-alpha (LT-alpha) gene is located on chromosome 6 (6p21.1-6p21.3) and it may regulate tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production. TNF is a potent cytokine in the airway inflammatory response. Polymorphisms of TNF-associated genes have been related to asthma. This study investigated an LT-alpha-Ncol polymorphism in the first intron of the LT-alpha gene (LT-alpha-Ncol*1 allele, as a variant type; and LT-alpha-Ncol*2 allele), which may predispose individuals to asthma and atopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Polymerase chain reaction-based assays were performed to determine LT-alpha-Ncol genotypes among our subjects. A genetic case control analysis was then performed on 114 atopic asthmatic and 155 non-asthmatic unrelated children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically higher frequency of LT-alpha-Ncol*1 allele carriers (1/1+1/2) in the subjects with atopic asthma than in controls (OR=1.923; 95% CI = 1.061-3.484; p = 0.031).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that LT-alpha-Ncol*1 may be a risk factor for atopic asthma in Taiwanese children.
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Szu-Chao
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Wen-Jun
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hai-Lun
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Ko-Huang
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lue
authors.forename: Chia-Hsiu
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Pei-Fen
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Min-Sho
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ku
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha